Friday, July 15, 2016

SDF Shadow Cabinet Minister for Internal Affairs, Vanigansen Mochiggle has
debunked allegations that Hon. Osih Joshua is the Presidential candidate
for the upcoming elections in 2018. In a Facebook reaction posted by the North West Coalition of Civil Society Organizations,
Vanigansen Mochiggle said that the story is an imagination, adding that
" the organs and the structures of the
party are clearly spelt in the party's constitution. In no section of
the Constitution do we have nomenclature as "wise men ". Furthermore any
serious and authoritative member of the party cannot claim such title
as he exposes himself / herself to disciplinary sanctions as provided
for in section 15 (d)(v) and 16 of the party constitution read together.
It is forbidden to use or assume names and titles not recognized by the
party. Culprits expose themselves to disciplinary sanctions. Over and
above, serious party policies or decisions are not articulated on the
pages of news organs."

An online publication Cameroon Journal has asserted that an
authoritative source within the S.D.F who requested anonymity hinted
that there is negotiation between a so called group of wise
men of the party to cause the National Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi to
ordain the party's 1st Vice National Chairman Hon Joshua Osih as the
S.D.F presumptive presidential candidate for 2018 presidential election.
This story is the imagination of a news organ in search of notoriety.
The organs and the structures of the party are clearly spelt in the
party's constitution. In no section of the Constitution do we have
nomenclature as "wise men ". Furthermore any serious and authoritative
member of the party cannot claim such title as he exposes himself /
herself to disciplinary sanctions as provided for in section 15 (d)(v)
and 16 of the party constitution read together. It is forbidden to use
or assume names and titles not recognized by the party. Culprits expose
themselves to disciplinary sanctions. Over and above, serious party
policies or decisions are not articulated on the pages of news organs.

Hon. Osih Joshua

The mechanism for choosing the party presidential candidate is stated
in the party's constitution and has been applied since the creation of
the party. The S.D.F Constitution has no provisions for natural
candidates, presumptive candidates nor candidates through the "lifting"
of hands. Candidates for presidential election is selected during an
extra ordinary party convention convened for that purpose. Currently,
National Executive Committee teams are carrying out a nationwide
reorganization of the basic party structures. This in line with the
declaration of the national Chairman during the Silver Jubilee
Celebrations. I quote, "we therefore call on all party members to
prepare themselves...... by getting engaged in the renewal exercise
which will be launched after this anniversary celebrations...... " This
regional commissions never had presidential candidates opinion survey as
term of reference. As provided for in the party's constitution and
officially declared by the National Chairman during the 26th anniversary
of the party. The party will have an Ordinary Convention next year.
Conventions offer occasion per excellence for the evaluation and
codification of party policies. It also permits the renewal of
leadership at NEC level. This issue of presumptive candidate is a
serious distraction geared to distabilise the party and news organs have
been solicited for that purpose.